-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
- HP Community
- Desktops
- Business PCs, Workstations and Point of Sale Systems
- Can z620 support 2 Xeon E5-2680 ?

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
03-15-2020 04:42 PM
Hello
I've bought used Z620 with 2 Xeon E5-2609.
It's working fine.
I'm trying an upgrade towards E5-2680.
When i put one cpu, the system start normally.
With second cpu on riser, the computer start then stop immediatly.
And this several time.
So, i put again 2609 cpus : system start without problem.
I took 2660 cpu in another computer and put them in z620 : its start normally.
My question is : dual E5-2680 can't be used ?
regards
03-15-2020 07:04 PM - edited 03-16-2020 10:28 AM
Answer: Dual E5-2680 processors can be used. This was presented as an option in the first Z620 QuickSpecs ever released.
Here are some ideas and info:
1. HP supported adding in a second processor that was a duplicate of the one that came from the factory with your box (assuming the first processor has dual QPI links to begin with). They do not support upgrading from one processor to another. Yet, we do that a lot, successfully. A single QPI link processor cannot run with a second processor.
2. Sometimes you can run a single version 2 processor in a version 1 Z620, but usually not. What is your boot block date in BIOS, and do you know how to tell from that date whether you have a version 1 or a version 2 Z620? If you have a version 2 Z620 you can run 1 or 2 of the E5-2680 v1 or v2. If you have a version 1 Z620 you should only be running 1 or 2 of the E5-2680 v1 processors. A v1 Z620 will be unreliable running even 1 v2 E5-2680 if you could get it to even boot.
3. How do you know what you have? Laser etched on the top of the stainless steel shell of each Xeon is a single sSpec code. Usually each processor had only one sSpec code, but some had two generations or even three. Ideally you'd want the latest sSpec code, and want the sSpec codes to match each other if you are running two processors. Here are three sSpec codes that you might have, depending on what processors you have:
"E5-2680" (v1):
SR0KH (C2 stepping, newer)
SR0GY (C1 stepping, older)
"E5-2680 v2":
SR1A6 (M1 stepping)
All this info is available via the Intel "ark" site plus a lot more.
4. You never want a "qualification" sample. That will have a Q at the start of the sSpec code. Those are pre-release test versions of the processors, and will have the "E5-2680" etched on the stainless cap, but never are what you want.
5. You don't want to mix sSpec codes. Some people get away with it but I never even try. Too much trouble can arise; not worth the risk.
My guess is that you have one bad processor if you don't have any of these other issues..... Can you boot with both processors when you use only one at a time?
03-17-2020 04:28 PM
Hi SDH
Thanks for yoyr detailled anwser.
I've Z620 v1 and cpu spec is SR0KH.
I'd a doubt after have red you.
I put both E5-2680 in Dell T5600 and ran benchmark during 30 min : no issue found.
So I put them in z620 : its start without problem.
I'm happy but l don't understand what happened.
I'll continue my test.
Thanks
03-17-2020 07:15 PM
That is great news... I believe you are saying that your Z620 v1 now sees both processors and is happy with them. Your two v1 E5-2680 processors running together give you a dual cpu Passmark core score of 18528, very respectable. Do not long for a v2 motherboard.... Bambi on the forum here can give you input on what the v1 motherboard could do with an upgrade of the two processors, but that might not be worth the cost. Ask him if you wish, and he will respond.
Your sSpec codes are the latest for that version of the processor, which is good. That includes all the Intel tweaking/fixes that earlier ones might not have.
One thing I can add..... your current processors can run the fastest memory HP ever certified for that motherboard, the 1600 MHz memory. Take a look at what you have to confirm you have that speed for all your memory. A picture of one stick would do, if they all are the same. The very best memory performance comes from using same size sticks filling all the memory slots. Things become synergistic in terms of performance when that is the case.
Congrats.....